COURSE PROPOSAL

Course Name: Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management  
Course Prefix: COMM
Course Number: 3050
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Becky Johns, bjohns@weber.edu

Current Date:  9/17/2011
College: Arts & Humanities
Department:   Communication                              
From Term: Fall  2012 

Substantive

change 

Current Course Subject COMM
Current Course Number 3050

COMM 3050 Theory and Literature of Interpersonal Communication (3) Explores selected theories and perspectives of interpersonal communication through the study of relevant literature. Possible issues addressed include the interpersonal implications of race, gender, class and affectional preference. Prerequisites for Communication majors, minors and BIS students: COMM HU1020, 1130, 2110, and acceptance in program; pre/co-requisite, COMM 3000. Prerequisite for non-Communication students: advanced standing.

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  COMM            

Course Number: 3050

 Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.
DV  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management

Abbreviated Course Title: Conflict Management

Course Type:  LEC

Credit Hours:  3  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture 3  Lab    Other

Repeat Information:  Limit 0   Max Hrs 0 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

Prerequisite - COMM 3000

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

COMM 3050
Interpersonal Communication and Conflict Management (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide students an opportunity to explore interpersonal communication concepts in depth. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a greater understanding of interpersonal communication theories and strategies and will be able to enrich their relationships with personal application of this material. A special emphasis will be given to conflict management as an interpersonal communication skill. Students will be provided the analytical and communication tools to understand, evaluate, and respond effectively to conflicts.
Prerequisite: COMM 3000 or permission by instructor.
 

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

COMM 3050 has had conflict management as a primary topic for some time now and this change in name and description makes this practice transparent.

Conflict is a daily fact of life and while most people assume the negative consequences of conflict such as anger, retribution, and violence, learning skills of constructive conflict management can help this everyday occurrence to become more positive. Conflict, well managed, can prevent premature group decision-making, strengthen relationships, provide opportunities for personal growth and understanding, reveal injustices and improve communication.

Students have for many years expressed their desire to have more instruction in Conflict Management. Our department feels strongly that this course taught in this way will strengthen our curriculum in communication education.
 

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

While this is not a new course proposal, it is the revising of an existing course to better meet student needs.

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

While this is not a new course proposal, we have searched other department offerings and can find nothing which is similar. We anticipate that there will be no adverse effects on other departments' requirements or enrollments.

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).